Project External Glass Overflow

[yanksajo]

How much were those diamond coated bits? Could anybody do that kind of glasswork or do you have experience in that kind of thing?

[thorsky]

yanksajo, Based on this and one other thread I went out and bought the Dremel bits today. Just finished drilling a nice little hole in and old piece of 1/4" glass. Not at all as difficult as I had imagined.

If I can do it...

[thorsky]

And the bits were $9 each at my local Lowes. More than what others are paying but still cheap!

[H20ENG]

I bought a whole set of diamond points for like $5 at Harbor freight. Havent tried them on glass or stone, so cant vouch for their quality. you know Harbor freight stuff.....
May be worth a shot to someone.

[Tunjee]

Originally posted by yanksajo
How much were those diamond coated bits? Could anybody do that kind of glasswork or do you have experience in that kind of thing?

Bits were $9 a piece. Ya virtually anyone could it. I had zero dremeling experience on glass before starting this project. I did however have two tank cracking experiences with regular glass drill bits and a cordless drill before this. I think I might silicone those two tanks together and make a 40g cube.

Tony

[algaefree]

Where did you get the washers for the DIY bulkheads?

[steve68]

tunjee
how long did it take u to cut the round holes on the overflow?
just want to know if i should go slow or fast.

[Tunjee]

Originally posted by algaefree
Where did you get the washers for the DIY bulkheads?

]
Local hardware store/supply house, it's called Solenbergers. Check a good plumbing supply house, my lowe's and home depot didnt have them.

[Tunjee]

Originally posted by steve68
tunjee
how long did it take u to cut the round holes on the overflow?
just want to know if i should go slow or fast.

15 minutes a hole at least, plunge the bit up and down while pushing it along the marked course. The up and down motion speeds up the cut because the bit is tapered.

[Breaker4show]

How much are average dremels ?

Thanks,
Nick

[thorsky]

Just read ad in this weeks flyer for Dremels and "Dremel Like Tools" with prices ranging from $30 - $100. Depends on what you want to spend. I have no experience with anything other than an actual Dremel brand tool. Mine is variable speed with flex shaft and kit and does quite a nice job. I haven't needed the flex shaft yet but it will come in handy someday. I think it was a Sears catalog I was looking at.

Hope that helps!

[Mako]

Nice job Tungee! So you reckon the silicone will be able to suport the weight of the water in the box or do you have plans to suport it further somehow?

[Tunjee]

Originally posted by Mako
Nice job Tungee! So you reckon the silicone will be able to suport the weight of the water in the box or do you have plans to suport it further somehow?

Thanks Mako! The bond between glass and silicone goes down to the molecular level. Silicone is silicate based, glass is silicate based. I pushed/pulled/tugged/bumped the box and it shows no signs of wanting to let go.

Tony

[Clay Glover]

does it matter if the glass is tempered?

[H20ENG]

does it matter if the glass is tempered?

Dont even THINK of trying to cut tempered glass. The biggest piece of glass left will be about the size of a pea....
You CANNOT drill, cut, or grind tempered glass.
Sorry.

[Reelfun20]

I've got a 56 tub manufactured by Ocea that I want to try this on. According to their website, it says all of their tanks are made from "annealed" glass and that it can be drilled, cut, etc. Should I foresee any problems, or just go for it and bust out my Dremel?? Thanks...

[Tunjee]

Dremel on steroids.

[Tunjee]

Originally posted by Reelfun20
I've got a 56 tub manufactured by Ocea that I want to try this on. According to their website, it says all of their tanks are made from "annealed" glass and that it can be drilled, cut, etc. Should I foresee any problems, or just go for it and bust out my Dremel?? Thanks...

I think annealed is just regular glass. I'm not 100% sure on that though. How thick is the tank glass? Might take awhile with a little dremel it its real thick. I know it works on the thin 20gallon tank glass.

[H20ENG]

Is that a waterjet cutter? Awesome!
And annealed glass is regular glass.
Annealed= cooled slowly, allowing all the molecules to relax. Tempered= cooled quickly, forcing the molecules into tension

[steve68]

that box is going no where trust me !!
what do u think holds the tank to gether, sure u have the
brace but silicone keeps it together.
awesome job !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tunjee]

Originally posted by H20ENG
Is that a waterjet cutter? Awesome!
And annealed glass is regular glass.
Annealed= cooled slowly, allowing all the molecules to relax. Tempered= cooled quickly, forcing the molecules into tension

I dont know if it's water or bit cut, it dosent say. Check this place out they have a glass bending machine!
http://www.curvetusa.com/glass_cutting.html

[Tunjee]

Bulkheads installed!

[MDLR1]

i have somthign similar on my tank ill have to take some pics and post it, there is a very small box inside the tank and box similar to yours on teh outside but smaller much smaller. It works great and is silent.

[Hef]

C'Mon Tunjee, Put Some Water In It Already!
Just kidding. Looking forward to seeing water going through it.

[DaveJohnson]

Just wanted to say thanks to Tunjee for this thread! I saw another recently, that you refer to, where someone drilled their tank (with fish in it) for a bulkhead.

After reading this thread yesterday, I went and got the dremel bits you mentioned and in no time at all had a bulkhead installed in what will be a refugium for one of my tanks. Leak tested overnight and it's fine. This weekend I drill one of my tanks (the 'fuge was "practice" )

It's really not difficult, just go slow and rinse often. Though it is a bit unnerving having that water on the glass while holding an electric drill in your hand.

Cheers,
Dave Johnson